Japan Society of Fairfield County

News about Members

While not a JSFC member, Syd Greenberg was well known to JSFC
members. I am sad to report that he died Jan 24, 2012. Syd
Greenberg attended at least 4 of our Oshogatsus as a press
photographer and generously shared his work with us. In 2006,
he took a great photo of Alice McDonald, which was used as the cover photo for our website. Syd was an
army combat photographer in the Far East during World War II. One
day he happened upon Chiang Kai-shek and asked the Generalissimo for
permission to photograph him. Syd didn't just get a big smile,
but a huge one, making for Syd's most memorable photo. He
showed me a copy at Oshogatsu.

Former member Bill Jassey died unexpected on May 17, 2011.
Bill and his wife Ikuko were long time members of JSFC and Ikuko
contributed many articles and poems to our website. Bill was
the founder of Center for Global Studies at Brien McMahon High
School which is a magnet school for Japanese language instruction. Story from The Hour,
Norwalk newspaper

Former member Joan Rolnick died in Kirksville, MO on April 28, 2009.
Joan and her husband Jerry were long time members of JSFC. They were
residents of Redding where they built a Japanese style home with
gardens and a detached teahouse.

On April 22, 2009 Ambassador Fujisaki
presented "Closer Cooperation: Economy, Energy, Environment" to the
Council on East Asian Studies at the Whitney and Betty MacMillan
Center for International and Area Studies at Yale. Japanese
Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki and JSFC President Harry Sakamaki were
classmates at Stanford and are at a reception following Ambassador
Fujisaki's presentation.

Hi Mr.
Sakamaki, こんにちは from Aomori-ken! I just arrived here last week in
a town called Oirase in eastern Aomori Prefecture. Its really
beautiful here and the people are very kind. I work at the city
hall in the board of education department as an assistant language
teacher. School hasn't started yet, so I mainly have office work
to keep me busy so far. I have an apartment near the ocean so I
think this is a very nice place to live.
I hope everything is well back in Connecticut with JSFC. Ruairi
McLaughlin

Amazing to hear from Aomori!!. Oirase River is famous for its
beautiful scenery especially in upstream near Towada Lake. The
lake is famous for its water clearness and I believe it is the
third (clearest) in the world. Aomori Nebuta Summer Festival is
un-parallel to other events. I think you chose a good location to
live and assist teachers. As you mentioned the people should be
very nice and kindness.
I wish you enjoy finding a different
aspect of Japan. OGENKIDE!! Harry
Thanks Mr. Sakamaki. I'm really enjoying Aomori so
far. Everyone here is so friendly and helpful that even
thought it has only been two weeks I feel at home. I missed
Nebuta unfortunately, but in my town (Oirase-cho in Kamikita-gun)
we had Shogi Matsuri this past weekend. I played Shogi for
the first time but to tell you the truth I lost twice! Shogi
is a lot like Chess. I just need more
practice! I look forward to seeing more of Northern
Japan. Talk to you soon! RuairiReturn to Main Menu